The African National Congress will win all municipalities in the country, ANC Youth League president Julius Malema said at the party’s final election rally at the FNB stadium in Johannesburg. on Sunday.
“We are going to take Cape Town from the madam, we are going to take Midvaal from the madam,” he said in reference to Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille, who is the premier of the Western Cape.
More than 91Â 000 people attended the ANC’s last rally before the local government election on Wednesday. The rally was being broadcast live to venues in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State.
Malema, who received a standing ovation when he took to the podium, said the ANC would remain in power and that opposition parties knew this.
“Even the madam knows. As long as we are still alive, the freedom will be defended.”
He said the rally was to defend the freedom for which stalwarts such as South African Communist Party general secretary Chris Hani had died.
ANC Gauteng chairperson Paul Mashatile said: “We have done our work. We will take control of all the municipalities, we will take the DA out of Midvaal,” he said.
Coverage of rally ‘biased’
Meanwhile, the DA accused the South African Broadcasting Corporation of bias for refusing it live coverage, but devoting a two-hour live broadcast to the ANC’s rally.
The decision was in violation of the Independent Broadcasting Authority Act because it was not equitable or consistent, said MP James Selfe.
SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago was not immediately available for comment.
In a statement, Selfe said the Act stated that a broadcaster was required to “treat all political parties equitably” and that “each broadcasting service should be consistent in its treatment of contesting parties and of conflicting views”.
“The Act contains these requirements because, to bias coverage in one direction or the other, would be to favour one political party over another and unduly influence the ability of each South African citizen to discern the choices available to them.”
Selfe said the decision by the SABC promoted the views of the ANC and gave prominence to one agenda over others.
“A two-hour live crossing is incomparable with a hard news story on a bulletin.
“In doing so, it is to promote one choice before South Africans over another which is both contrary to the SABC’s mandate and undemocratic.
“Now, more than ever, the vote of every citizen can make a profound difference on 18 May,” he said.
‘We love the ANC’
North West church leaders have prayed with premier Thandi Modise for an ANC election victory, her spokesperson Cornelius Tanana Monama said on Sunday.
“As men and women of the cloth, we love the ANC. Since 1994, churches have played a prominent role in the ushering in of a free and democratic society,” bishops and pastors in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district told Modise on Saturday night, Monama said.
“We took a clear and conscious decision to oppose apartheid. We cannot turn our backs on the ANC now.”
“People who never wanted to see black people liberated are today seen in black townships campaigning for black votes,” Modise said.
“Pastors have a responsibility to pray for voters make the right choices,” she said.
At the rally in Johannesburg, ruling party supporters said they were confident of victory in the elections.
“Come Wednesday, the ANC will silence all critics. The truth will emerge. The ANC will cause a major upset,” said supporter Aubrey Moeketsi.
He said party members would not let the party down.
“We are preparing for celebration parties,” he said, walking into the FNB stadium.
Supporter Anna Pule said the party would remain the people’s choice.
“Even those who broke away might still vote for us because they understand the ANC is the only party of hope.” – Sapa